Sending notifications based on an active mode of operation of a mobile device

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are described herein for sending notifications associated with different use or active modes of a mobile device, such as a smart phone, tablet, and so on. For example, a mobile device may be in a busy mode, where a user associated with the mobile device is busy on a call, and/or in an entertainment mode (or other non-communication mode), where the user is utilizing entertainment functions provided by the mobile device (e.g., watching a video, playing a video game, listening to a podcast, and so on).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/282,709 filed Sep. 30, 2016 and entitled SENDING NOTIFICATIONS BASEDON AN ACTIVE MODE OF OPERATION OF A MOBILE DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No.10,194,025; which is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/282,779, filed Sep. 30, 2016, and entitled SENDING NOTIFICATIONSBASED ON A BUSY MODE OF OPERATION OF A MOBILE DEVICE, both of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Typically, when a user of a mobile device receives a call while the useris already on a call (e.g., the line is busy), the user ignores thecall, or sends a text message to the calling party indicating he/she isbusy on another call. Often, however, the calling party and the user donot connect, because the calling party is unaware as to when the userbecomes available, the user forgets to call back the calling party, andso on.

In addition, the user of the mobile device (e.g., a smart phone) oftenreceives one or more calls at times when he/she is using the mobiledevice in various non-communication modes. For example, the user may beplaying a movie, listening to a podcast, playing a video game, orotherwise being entertained by content presented by the mobile device,when a call is received at the mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described and explainedthrough the use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a suitable computing environmentfor generating and/or sending notifications based on operational modesof mobile devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the components of a modenotification system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating notifications sent to a calling partyfrom a busy mobile device.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for notifying a callingparty of a busy mode of a mobile device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating notifications sent to a calling partyfrom a mobile device in entertainment mode.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for notifying a callingparty of an entertainment mode of a mobile device.

The drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Similarly, somecomponents and/or operations may be separated into different blocks orcombined into a single block for the purposes of discussion of some ofthe embodiments of the present technology. Moreover, while thetechnology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms,specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawingsand are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not tolimit the technology to the particular embodiments described. On thecontrary, the technology is intended to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the technologyas defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods are described herein for sending notificationsassociated with different use or active modes of a mobile device, suchas a smart phone, tablet, and so on. For example, a mobile device may bein a busy mode, where a user associated with the mobile device is busyon a call, and/or in an entertainment mode (or other non-communicationmode), where the user is utilizing entertainment functions provided bythe mobile device (e.g., watching a video, playing a video game,listening to a podcast, and so on).

When a voice call is received at the called mobile device during one ofthese use or active modes, the systems and methods generate and provideone or more notifications associated with the use mode of the calledmobile device to a party that initiated the voice call (the “callingparty”), such as notifications that indicate the current use mode of thecalled mobile device, notifications that indicate when the called mobiledevice is no longer in the current use mode (e.g., the device is nolonger busy or presenting a video), and so on.

In some embodiments, the systems and methods notify the calling party ofa use mode of operation of a mobile device called by the calling party,by receiving a voice call initiated by a calling mobile deviceassociated with the calling party and determining that the mobile deviceis currently operating in a busy mode. The busy mode of the mobiledevice is associated with the mobile device being on a previouslyconnected voice call with a different calling party.

Upon the determination, the systems and methods send to the callingmobile device a first notification during the busy mode of operation ofthe called mobile device, where the notification indicates the currentbusy mode of operation of the called mobile device. When the busy modeof operation of the called mobile device ends, the systems and methodssend a second notification to the calling mobile device that indicatesthe called mobile device is available to receive voice calls (e.g., isno longer in the busy mode of operation).

For example, a mobile device may include a notification system, whichcontains a call reception module that receives a call placed to themobile device by a second mobile device, a mode determination modulethat determines the mobile device is currently operating in a busy modeof operation, and a notification module that sends a notification to thesecond mobile device when the mobile device changes its mode ofoperation from the busy mode of operation to an available mode ofoperation.

In some embodiments, the systems and methods notify calling partiesabout a current mode of operation of the called mobile device, byreceiving, at the called mobile device, a voice call initiated by thecalling mobile device associated with the calling party, and determiningthat the called mobile device is currently operating in anon-communication mode of operation, such as an entertainment mode ofoperation that presents entertainment content to a user of the calledmobile device. When the non-communication mode of operation of thecalled mobile device ends, the systems and methods send a notificationto the calling mobile device that indicates the called mobile device isavailable to receive voice calls.

For example, a notification system receives indications of calls placedto the called mobile device by other mobile devices, determines thecalled mobile device is operating in an entertainment mode of operation,and sends notifications to the other mobile devices when the calledmobile device has finished operating in the entertainment mode ofoperation.

The systems and methods, therefore, enable mobile devices to informcalling parties when their mobile devices are no longer busy orpresenting content and are therefore available to communicate with thecalling parties on voice calls or other multimedia calls (e.g., videocalls). Further, by sending notifications that update the status of theoperation mode of their mobile device, the mobile devices enable theirassociated users to track and connect to other users attempting to reachthem with limited frustration or annoyance, among other benefits.

Various embodiments of the system will now be described. The followingdescription provides specific details for a thorough understanding andan enabling description of these embodiments. One skilled in the artwill understand, however, that the system may be practiced without manyof these details. Additionally, some well-known structures or functionsmay not be shown or described in detail, so as to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the relevant description of the various embodiments. Theterminology used in the description presented below is intended to beinterpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is beingused in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specificembodiments of the invention.

Suitable Computing Environments

As described herein, the systems and methods facilitate sendingnotifications and other messages between mobile devices, in order toinform various calling parties as to the status or operational modes ofcalled devices when called parties receive calls and are unable toconnect with calling parties. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating asuitable computing environment 100 for generating and/or sendingnotifications based on operational modes of called mobile devices.

A mobile device 110 includes a mode notification system 150 that isconfigured to identify or determine various different modes of operationof the mobile device (e.g., a busy mode of operation, an entertainmentmode of operation, and so on), and send notifications to various callingparties.

For example, when a user associated with the mobile device 110 is busyon a voice call, the mobile device may receive voice calls initiated byvarious calling parties, such as calling parties associated with mobiledevices 132 and/or 134, which initiate and place voice calls to themobile device 110 over a telecommunications network 120.

Upon receiving the voice calls, the system 150, having knowledge thatthe mobile device is in a busy mode or non-communication mode (e.g., isnot available to receive voice calls), sends notifications to thecalling mobile devices 132, 134. The system 150 may automatically sendnotifications that indicate the current busy mode of operation of themobile device 110 and/or that inform the calling mobile devices 132, 134when the mobile device 110 is available and no longer in the busy modeof operation (e.g., the associated user has ended the previous voicecall).

Although the mode notification system 150 is depicted in FIG. 1 as beingcontained by the mobile device 110, some or all aspects may beimplemented or performed within the network 120, such as via a networkserver 140 that is part of a network carrier that provides the network120 and/or includes the user of the mobile device 110 as a subscriber oftelecommunications services.

FIG. 1 and the discussion herein provide a brief, general description ofthe components of the computing environment 100. Although not required,aspects of the computing environment 100 are described in the generalcontext of computer-executable instructions, such as routines executedby a general-purpose computer, e.g., mobile device, a server computer,or personal computer. The system can be practiced with othercommunications, data processing, or computer system configurations,including: Internet appliances, hand-held devices (including tabletcomputers and/or personal digital assistants (PDAs)), all manner ofcellular or mobile phones, (e.g., smart phones), multi-processorsystems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,set-top boxes, network PCs, mini-computers, mainframe computers, and thelike. Indeed, the terms “computer,” “host,” and “host computer,” and“mobile device” and “handset” are generally used interchangeably herein,and refer to any of the above devices and systems, as well as any dataprocessor.

Aspects of the environment 100 can be embodied in a special purposecomputing device or data processor that is specifically programmed,configured, or constructed to perform one or more of thecomputer-executable instructions explained in detail herein. Aspects ofthe system may also be practiced in distributed computing environmentswhere tasks or modules are performed by remote processing devices, whichare linked through a communications network, such as a Local AreaNetwork (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or the Internet. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote memory storage devices.

Aspects of the environment 100 may be stored or distributed oncomputer-readable media (e.g., physical and/or tangible non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media), including magnetically or opticallyreadable computer discs, hard-wired or preprogrammed chips (e.g., EEPROMsemiconductor chips), nanotechnology memory, or other data storagemedia. Indeed, computer implemented instructions, data structures,screen displays, and other data under aspects of the system may bedistributed over the Internet or over other networks (including wirelessnetworks), on a propagated signal on a propagation medium (e.g., anelectromagnetic wave(s), a sound wave, etc.) over a period of time, orthey may be provided on any analog or digital network (packet switched,circuit switched, or other scheme). Portions of the system reside on aserver computer, while corresponding portions reside on a clientcomputer such as a mobile or portable device, and thus, while certainhardware platforms are described herein, aspects of the system areequally applicable to nodes on a network. In an alternative embodiment,the mobile device or portable device may represent the server portion,while the server may represent the client portion.

In some embodiments, the mobile device 110 may include networkcommunication components that enable the devices to communicate withremote servers or other portable electronic devices by transmitting andreceiving wireless signals using a licensed, semi-licensed, orunlicensed spectrum over communications network, such as the network120. In some cases, the communication network 120 may be comprised ofmultiple networks, even multiple heterogeneous networks, such as one ormore border networks, voice networks, broadband networks, serviceprovider networks, Internet Service Provider (ISP) networks, and/orPublic Switched Telephone Networks (PSTNs), interconnected via gatewaysoperable to facilitate communications between and among the variousnetworks.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other componentsmay be included in the mobile device 110 to enable networkcommunication. For example, the mobile device 110 may be configured tocommunicate over a GSM or newer mobile telecommunications network. As aresult, the mobile device 110 may include a Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card that stores an International Mobile Subscriber Identity(IMSI) number that is used to identify the mobile device 110 on the GSMmobile or other communications networks, for example, those employingLTE, 3G and/or 4G wireless protocols. If the mobile device 110 isconfigured to communicate over another communications network, themobile device 110 may include other components that enable it to beidentified on the other communications networks.

In some embodiments, the mobile device 110 may include components thatenable them to connect to a communications network using Generic AccessNetwork (GAN), Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA), or LTE-U standards andprotocols. For example, the mobile device 110 may include componentsthat support Internet Protocol (IP)-based communication over a WirelessLocal Area Network (WLAN) and components that enable communication withthe telecommunications network over the IP-based WLAN. Further, whilenot shown, the mobile device 110 may include capabilities for permittingcommunications with satellites. The mobile device 110 may include one ormore mobile applications that transfer data or check-in with remoteservers and other networked components and devices.

The communications network 120 may also include third-partycommunications networks such as a Global System for Mobile (GSM) mobilecommunications network, a code/time division multiple access (CDMA/TDMA)mobile communications network, a 3rd or 4th generation (3G/4G) mobilecommunications network (e.g., General Packet Radio Service(GPRS/EGPRS)), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE)network), Voice over LTE (VoLTE) network, or other communicationsnetwork. Further, the communications network 120 may include or be partof a wireless communications network, such as an Internet MultimediaSystem (IMS) network or other wireless networks.

Examples of the Mode Notification System

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the modenotification system 150, which may include functional modules or systemsthat are implemented with a combination of software (e.g., executableinstructions, or computer code) and hardware (e.g., at least a memoryand processor). Accordingly, as used herein, in some examples a moduleor system is a processor-implemented module, system, or set of code andrepresents a computing device having a processor that is at leasttemporarily configured and/or programmed by executable instructionsstored in memory to perform one or more of the particular functions thatare described herein. For example, the mode notification system 150 mayinclude a call reception module 210, a mode determination system, anotification module 230, a timer module 240, and a priority module 250.

In some embodiments, the call reception module 210 is configured and/orprogrammed to receive or otherwise access a call, or an indication of acall, placed to the mobile device by other mobile devices, such as oneor more calling mobile devices that initiate voice calls to the mobiledevice. For example, the call reception module 210 may access a call logstored by the mobile device 110. The call log may store informationidentifying “missed” or uncompleted calls, calls rejected or declined bythe user of the mobile device 110, and so on.

The call reception module 210, therefore, may determine whether a callhas been received by the mobile device 110 and unanswered, a call hasbeen received by the mobile device 110 and declined by the user, a texthas been sent by the user to the calling mobile device, and so on.

In some embodiments, the mode determination module 220 is configuredand/or programmed to identify or determine a current mode of operationfor the mobile device 110. For example, the mode determination module220 may determine the mobile device 110 is currently operating in a busymode of operation (e.g., the user is on an active call), is currentlyoperating in an entertainment mode or other non-communication mode ofoperation (e.g., the user is consuming content played by a video replayapplication on the mobile device, the user is playing a video gamefacilitated by the mobile device 110, and so on).

The module 220 may access activity logs maintained by an operatingsystem of the mobile device 110 in order to determine the current modeof operation. For example, the module 220 may determine that a VOIPapplication is currently active, and determine the mobile device 110 isin the busy mode of operation, and/or may determine a streaming mediaapplication is streaming content via the mobile device 110, anddetermine the mobile device 110 is thus in the entertainment mode ofoperation.

In some embodiments, the notification module 230 is configured and/orprogrammed to send a notification or notifications to the other mobiledevices when the mobile device ends the current mode of operation andbecomes available (e.g., is operating in an available mode ofoperation). For example, the notification module 230 may determine acurrently active voice call or video has ended, and send or transmit anotification to the calling parties associated with the other mobiledevices that indicates the mobile device 110 is available to receive,accept, complete, or connect to a voice call initiated by the othermobile devices.

The notification module 230 may include user-defined settings thatidentify which calling parties are to receive notifications. Forexample, the user may select a setting where all calling parties knownto the user (e.g., within the user's contact list) receivenotifications, whereas unknown calling parties do not receivenotifications. As another example, the user may select a subset of knowncalling parties as notification recipients.

Furthermore, the notification module 230 may provide a user with theoption of dynamically determining whether to send a notification when acall is received and unanswered during a busy or entertainment mode ofoperation. For example, the notification module 230 may displayinformation about the calling party, and request the user choose anoption of sending a notification or not (e.g., regardless of defaultsettings for the calling party).

In some cases, the notification module 230 may send other notifications,such as notifications when the mobile device 110 received the initiatedvoice calls and was determined to be unavailable. For example, thenotification module 230 may send or transmit notifications that indicatethe current status of the mobile device 110 (e.g., the device is busy,or playing a movie) during or soon after the received call. Furtherdetails regarding the type and content of notifications are describedherein.

The mode notification system 150 may also include various modules thatassist in sending notifications when the mobile device 110 is determinedto be available for receiving voice calls, and/or that assist in sendingnotifications in various determined orders of priority when the mobiledevice 110 receives multiple different voice calls from variousdifferent mobile devices, such as devices 132, 134.

In some embodiments, the timer module 240 is configured and/orprogrammed to set and implement various timing mechanisms that triggerwhen notifications are sent to calling mobile devices after the mobiledevice 110 becomes available to receive voice calls. For example, thetimer module 110 may set a predetermined time period (e.g., 1, 2, or 5minutes) of waiting, in order to ensure that the mobile device 110 islikely to be available when the notification is sent. The time period,which may be configured by the user, enables the system 110 to reducefalse determinations of availability, such as when a user ends one calland immediately begins another call.

The timer module 240 may also determine or select a time period at whichto send the notification based on information obtained from variousapplications stored on the mobile device 110. For example, the timermodule 240 may access a calendar application, an email application, andso on, to determine whether the user of the mobile device 110 isscheduled with another call or activity, or is likely to be availablewhen the notification is sent to the calling party.

In some embodiments, the priority module 250 is configured and/orprogrammed to determine or select a priority of notifying callingparties when multiple calls are received by the mobile device 110 whenthe mobile device is unavailable. The priority module 250 may utilizevarious different selection rules in determining and assigning priorityto the calling parties.

For example, given a scenario where the mobile device 110 receives anddecline 4 different calls from three different calling parties (e.g.,caller A (colleague) places the first call, caller B (wife) places thesecond call, caller B again places a call (the third call), and caller C(unknown) places the 4th call), the following priority rules may beapplied when determining and assigning an order of priority to thecalling parties for sending notifications:

A first in first out (FIFO) rule: Notifications are sent to the callingparties based on the order in which they placed calls to the mobiledevice 110. Following the example, the order of notification is callerA, caller B, caller B again (if they haven't subsequently called back,and caller C;

A frequency rule: Notifications are sent to the calling parties based onthe number of calls placed to the mobile device 110 (while the calleddevice is busy, or during another time period, such as within the lastweek). Under this rule, any ties are broken by then using the FIFO rule.Following the example, the order of notification is caller B, caller A,and then caller C.

A contact rule: Notifications are sent to the calling parties based ontheir placement within the user's contact list, favorites list, and/orother groupings of contacts. Following the example, the order ofnotification is caller B, caller A, and caller C. Of course, other rulesor logic of prioritization may be implemented by the priority module250.

Thus, in some embodiments, the mode notification system 150 utilizesvarious modules to access calls, determine the mode of operation of themobile device 110, and send notifications to calling parties at timesand with assigned priorities that target a likely probability of thedevice 110 being available to the calling party upon receipt of asubsequence call placed to the mobile device 110 (e.g., after thenotification is received by the calling party).

As discussed herein, the mobile device 110 may be unavailable for avariety of reasons such as when the user of the mobile device 110 isbusy on a voice call, when the user of the mobile device 110 isconsuming content or otherwise utilizing the mobile device 110 forentertainment, and so on. The following sections describe variousmethods performed by the mode notification system 110 during these modesof operations.

Examples of Busy Mode Notifications

As described herein, during a busy mode of operation, the mobile device110, upon receiving an incoming call, and declined or otherwise notaccepting the call, may send to the calling party one or morenotifications that provide information regarding a current status of themobile device 110. FIG. 3 is a diagram 300 illustrating notificationssent to a calling party from a busy mobile device.

As depicted, mobile device 110 receives an incoming call 310 initiatedby the calling mobile device 132. After determining the device 110 is inbusy mode (as described herein), the mode notification system 150, at atime T1 (a time period during which the user is busy on a call) sends anotification 320 indicating the mobile device 110 is in the busy mode ofoperation (e.g., “user is busy on another call”). Later, after thecurrent call terminates and the mobile device 110 is available toreceive calls, the system 150 automatically sends, at a time T2 (whereT2 is after T1), a notification 330 indicating the mobile device 110 isavailable to receive calls (e.g., “user is now free to take a call”).

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 400 for notifying acalling party of a busy mode of a mobile device. The method 400 may beperformed by the mode notification system 150 and, accordingly, isdescribed herein merely by way of reference thereto. It will beappreciated that the method 400 may be performed on any suitablehardware.

In operation 410, the system 150 receives or otherwise accesses a voicecall initiated by a calling mobile device associated with a callingparty. For example, the call reception module 210 may determine whethera call has been received by the mobile device 110 and unanswered,whether a call has been received by the mobile device 110 and declinedby the user, whether a text has been sent by the user to the callingmobile device, and so on.

In operation 420, the system 150 determines that the mobile device iscurrently operating in a busy mode, where the busy mode of the mobiledevice is associated with the mobile device facilitating a previouslyconnected voice call between a user associated with the mobile deviceand another party different from the calling party. For example, themode determination module 220 may access activity logs maintained by anoperating system of the mobile device 110 in order to determine thecurrent mode of operation.

Optionally, in operation 430, the system 150 sends a first notificationduring the busy mode of operation of the mobile device to the callingmobile device associated with the calling party that indicates thecurrent busy mode of operation of the mobile device. For example, thenotification module 230 may send or transmit notifications that indicatethe busy status of the mobile device 110.

In operation 440, when the busy mode of operation of the mobile deviceends, the system 150 (automatically) sends a second notification to thecalling mobile device associated with the calling party that indicatesthe mobile device is available to receive voice calls. For example, thenotification module 230 may determine a currently active voice call hasended, and send or transmit a notification to the calling party thatindicates the mobile device 110 is available to receive, accept,complete, or connect to a voice call initiated by the calling mobiledevice.

As described herein, the system 150 may automatically send the variousnotifications to the calling party as the mode of operation changes(e.g., changes from busy to available). The system 150, in some cases,may facilitate user customization of the content, frequency, or timingof the notifications. For example, a user of the mobile device 110 mayselect a specific notification to send when available to receive calls(e.g., “Please call me back, the line is now free”), may select acertain timing mechanism at which to send the notifications (e.g., 1 or3 minutes after ending a previous call), may select a frequency ofsending notifications to the calling party before a call is connectedbetween the parties (e.g., send a notification every 5 minutes, up to 3total notifications), and so on.

In addition, the system 150, in some embodiments, may send local oruser-specific notifications to the user of the mobile device 110. Forexample, the notification module 230 may, when the busy mode ofoperation of the mobile device ends, present or display a localnotification to the user that indicates the calling party initiated thevoice call to the mobile device during the busy mode of operation of themobile device. By notifying both parties, the system 150, in some cases,enhances the likelihood that a voice call is ultimately connected.

The notification module 230 may send notifications to calling partiesover a variety of different communication protocols or mechanisms. Whenthe call is received via the phone application of the mobile device, thenotification module 230 may send the notification via a text message tothe phone number associated with the calling mobile device. However,when a call is received via one or more VOIP or social mediaapplications, the notification module 230 may send the notification tothe username (e.g., “@callinguser234”) that initiated the voice call asa chat or instant message within the social media application. Of courseother messaging mechanisms may be used, such as sending a notificationunder the Session Initiated Protocol (SIP).

As described herein, the system 150, upon receiving multiple callsduring a busy mode of operation of the mobile device 110, may sendnotification based on one or more priorities assigned to the callingparties. For example, the system 150 may assign a response priority toeach calling party of multiple additional calling parties that is basedon a variety of factors or criteria (described herein), and sending thenotifications that indicate the mobile device is available to receivevoice calls to each calling party of the multiple additional callingparties based on the assigned response priorities.

Thus, in some embodiments, the mobile device 110 receives a call placedto the mobile device by a second mobile device, determines the mobiledevice is currently operating in a busy mode of operation, and sends anotification to the second mobile device when the mobile device changesa mode of operation from the busy mode of operation to an available modeof operation.

Examples of Non-Communication Mode Notifications

As described herein, during an entertainment mode or othernon-communication mode of operation, the mobile device 110, uponreceiving an incoming call (and, likely not noticing the incoming call),may send to the calling party one or more notifications that indicatesthe mobile device 110 is current being used to present content orotherwise perform non-communication functions for the user. FIG. 5 is adiagram 500 illustrating notifications sent to a calling party from amobile device in entertainment mode.

As depicted, mobile device 110 receives an incoming call 510 initiatedby the calling mobile device 132. After determining the device 110 is inentertainment mode (as described herein), the mode notification system150, at a time T1 (a time period during which the user is busy on acall) sends a notification 520 indicating the mobile device 110 is inthe entertainment mode of operation (e.g., “hey, I am watching a movieright now”) Later, after the content presentation ends and the mobiledevice 110 is available to receive calls, the system 150 automaticallysends, at a time T2 (where T2 is after T1), a notification 530indicating the mobile device 110 is available to receive calls (e.g.,“movie ended, give me a call”).

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 600 for notifying acalling party of an entertainment mode of a mobile device. The method600 may be performed by the mode notification system 150 and,accordingly, is described herein merely by way of reference thereto. Itwill be appreciated that the method 600 may be performed on any suitablehardware.

In operation 610, the system 150 receives a voice call initiated by acalling mobile device associated with the calling party. For example,the call reception module 210 may determine whether a call has beenreceived by the mobile device 110 and unanswered, whether a call hasbeen received by the mobile device 110 and declined by the user, whethera text has been sent by the user to the calling mobile device, and soon.

In some cases, the system 150 may present an alert to the user thatindicates the incoming call is being received by the mobile device 110.For example, the system 150 may present, in a small window or areaproximate to a display of content (e.g., at the top of a display screen)being presented to the user via the mobile device 110, that the call iscurrently being received.

In operation 620, the system 150 determines that the mobile device iscurrently operating in a non-communication mode of operation, where thenon-communication mode of operation the mobile device is associated withthe mobile device presenting content to a user of the mobile device. Forexample, the mode determination module 220 may access activity logsmaintained by an operating system of the mobile device 110 in order todetermine the current mode of operation.

As described herein, the non-communication mode of operation may be anymode of operation that is not associated with voice calling, such asmodes of operation associated with entertaining or presenting content tothe user. Example non-communication modes of operation include:

-   -   Presenting a movie or other video content via a media player of        the mobile device;    -   Presenting streaming audio, podcasts, or other audio content via        a media player of the mobile device;    -   Facilitating the playing of a video game for the user via the        mobile device;    -   Monitoring or tracking an activity currently being performed by        the user;    -   Capturing audio or video using one or more cameras of the mobile        device;    -   A user engaging with an active application of the mobile device;        and so on.

In operation 630, when the non-communication mode of operation of themobile device ends, the system 150 sends a notification to the callingmobile device associated with the calling party that indicates themobile device is available to receive voice calls. For example, thenotification module 230 may determine a content presentation has ended,and send or transmit a notification to the calling party that indicatesthe mobile device 110 is available to receive, accept, complete, orconnect to a voice call initiated by the calling mobile device.

As described herein, the system 150 may send notifications during theentertainment mode to provide information to the calling party regardingthe current status (e.g., mode of operation), of the mobile device 110.The system 150 may estimate a remaining duration of the currentnon-communication mode of operation by using APIs of the video playbackapplication, and send a notification to the calling mobile deviceassociated with the calling party that indicates the currentnon-communication mode of operation of the mobile device and theestimated remaining duration. For example, the system 150 may determinethe user is watching a movie, and send a notification that indicates theremaining run time of the movie (e.g., “I am watching a movie right nowthat will end in 37 minutes).

The system 150 may also determine or identify the currentnon-communication mode of operation, and send a notification to thecalling mobile device associated with the calling party that indicatesthe current non-communication mode of operation of the mobile device andthat presents information associated with the content presented to theuser during an entertainment mode of operation. For example, the system150 may determine the user is watching a movie, and send a notificationthat indicates the identity of the movie (e.g., “I am watching SupermanReturns right now, will let you know when done”).

Further, as described herein, the system 150, upon receiving multiplecalls during an entertainment mode of operation for the mobile device110, may send notifications based on one or more priorities assigned tothe calling parties. For example, the system 150 may assign a responsepriority to each calling party of multiple additional calling partiesthat is based on a variety of factors or criteria (described herein),and sending the notifications that indicate the mobile device isavailable to receive voice calls to each calling party of the multipleadditional calling parties based on the assigned response priorities.

In some cases, the system 150 may enable users to configure or set theapplications or modes of the mobile device 110 during whichnotifications are to be sent. For example, a user may wish to sendnotifications when streaming content (e.g., via Netflix or a podcastingapplication) without receiving an indication of an incoming call, butmay select to receive calls when playing back content already stored onthe mobile device, when listening to music on a run, and so on. In somecases, the system 150 may default to sending notifications for all modesor applications in use.

Thus, the mobile device 110 may receive indications of calls placed tothe mobile device by other mobile devices, determine the mobile deviceis operating in an entertainment mode of operation, and sendnotifications to the other mobile devices when the mobile devicefinishes operating in the entertainment mode of operation.

Conclusion

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,”“coupled,” or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling,either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling orconnection between the elements can be physical, logical, or acombination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,”and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer tothis application as a whole and not to any particular portions of thisapplication. Where the context permits, words in the above DetailedDescription using the singular or plural number may also include theplural or singular number respectively. The word “or” in reference to alist of two or more items covers all of the following interpretations ofthe word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list,and any combination of the items in the list.

The above Detailed Description of examples of the invention is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific examples for the invention are describedabove for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications arepossible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in therelevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or blocks arepresented in a given order, alternative implementations may performroutines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a differentorder, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added,subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative orsubcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented ina variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are attimes shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks mayinstead be performed or implemented in parallel, or may be performed atdifferent times. Further any specific numbers noted herein are onlyexamples: alternative implementations may employ differing values orranges.

The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various examples described above can be combined to providefurther implementations of the invention. Some alternativeimplementations of the invention may include not only additionalelements to those implementations noted above, but also may includefewer elements.

These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of theabove Detailed Description. While the above description describescertain examples of the invention, and describes the best modecontemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, theinvention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may varyconsiderably in its specific implementation, while still beingencompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above,particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the invention to the specific examplesdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe invention encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also allequivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under theclaims

I/we claim:
 1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium whose contents,when executed by a mobile device, cause the mobile device to notifycalling parties about a current state of the mobile device, the methodcomprising: receiving, at the mobile device, a voice call initiated by acalling mobile device associated with a calling party; determining, viaan activity log of an operating system of the mobile device, that themobile device is currently presenting content to a user of the mobiledevice; and when the presentation of content ends, sending anotification to the calling mobile device associated with the callingparty that indicates the mobile device is available to receive voicecalls.
 2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1,further comprising: estimating a remaining duration of the currentpresentation of content; and sending a notification to the callingmobile device associated with the calling party that indicates themobile device is currently presenting content to the user of the mobiledevice and the estimated remaining duration.
 3. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising: identifying thepresented content; and sending a notification to the calling mobiledevice associated with the calling party that indicates the mobiledevice is currently presenting content to the user of the mobile deviceand that identifies the presented content.
 4. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising: presenting alocal notification to the user along with the current presentation ofthe content that indicates the calling party initiated the voice call tothe mobile device during the current presentation of the content.
 5. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein thenotification is a text message sent from the mobile device to thecalling mobile device.
 6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 1, wherein the sending of the notification includes sending thenotification to the calling mobile device associated with the callingparty after the mobile device is determined to be available to receivevoice calls after a certain period of time.
 7. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the notification is a textmessage sent from the mobile device.
 8. A method for notifying callingparties about a current mode of operation of the mobile device, themethod comprising: receiving, at the mobile device, a voice callinitiated by a calling mobile device associated with a calling party;determining, via an activity log of an operating system of the mobiledevice, that the mobile device is currently presenting content to a userof the mobile device; and when the presentation of content ends, sendinga notification to the calling mobile device associated with the callingparty that indicates the mobile device is available to receive voicecalls.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: estimating aremaining duration of the current presentation of content; and sending anotification to the calling mobile device associated with the callingparty that indicates the mobile device is currently presenting contentto the user of the mobile device and the estimated remaining duration.10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: identifying the presentedcontent; and sending a notification to the calling mobile deviceassociated with the calling party that indicates the mobile device iscurrently presenting content to the user of the mobile device and thatidentifies the presented content.
 11. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: presenting a local notification to the user along with thecurrent presentation of the content that indicates the calling partyinitiated the voice call to the mobile device during the currentpresentation of the content.
 12. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: estimating a remaining duration of the currently presentedcontent; and sending a notification to the calling mobile deviceassociated with the calling party after the estimated remainingduration.
 13. The method of claim 8 further comprising: determining thatthe mobile device is in an entertainment mode of operation; and sendinga notification to the calling mobile device that presents informationassociated with content presented to the user during the entertainmentmode of operation.
 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:receiving, at the mobile device, multiple additional voice callsinitiated by multiple additional calling mobile devices associated withmultiple additional calling parties; and assigning a response priorityto each calling party of the multiple additional calling parties;wherein the sending of the notification includes sending notificationsto each of calling mobile devices based on the assigned responsepriorities.
 15. The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving, atthe mobile device, multiple additional voice calls initiated by multipleadditional calling mobile devices associated with multiple additionalcalling parties; and assigning a response priority to each calling partyof the multiple additional calling parties, wherein the responsepriority is based on an order in which the multiple additional callingparties initiated the voice calls to the mobile device; wherein thesending of the notification includes sending notifications to each ofcalling mobile devices based on the assigned response priorities. 16.The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving, at the mobiledevice, multiple additional voice calls initiated by multiple additionalcalling mobile devices associated with multiple additional callingparties; and assigning a response priority to each calling party of themultiple additional calling parties, wherein the response priority isbased on a number of instances of which each of the multiple additionalcalling parties initiated voice calls to the mobile device; wherein thesending of the notification includes sending notifications to each ofcalling mobile devices based on the assigned response priorities. 17.The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving, at the mobiledevice, multiple additional voice calls initiated by multiple additionalcalling mobile devices associated with multiple additional callingparties; and assigning a response priority to each calling party of themultiple additional calling parties, wherein the response priority isbased on a contact list grouping that includes the multiple additionalcalling parties who initiated voice calls to the mobile device; whereinthe sending of the notification includes sending notifications to eachof calling mobile devices based on the assigned response priorities. 18.A notification method for use with a wireless telecommunications networkand mobile device communicating with the wireless telecommunicationsnetwork, the method comprising: receiving, via the wirelesstelecommunications network, indications of calls placed to the mobiledevice by other mobile devices; determining that the mobile device isoperating in an entertainment mode of operation by accessing one or moreactivity logs for the mobile device; and sending notifications to theother mobile devices when the mobile device finishes operating in theentertainment mode of operation.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: estimating a remaining duration of the entertainment mode ofoperation for the mobile device; and sending a notification to a callingmobile device associated with a calling party that indicates theestimated remaining duration.
 20. The method of claim 18, whereinoperating in the entertainment mode of operation includes presentingvideo content to a user of the mobile device, presenting audio contentto the user of the mobile device, or playing a video game using themobile device.